[1] Water reform was first placed on the national agenda at the 1994 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting when a strategic framework was devised.
In the 21st century, there have been attempts to establish a privatised water market in Australia, with Victoria acting as a model for other states.
Water privatisation is a highly controversial issue and touches on the much broader arguments for and against the private control of formerly public services.
There have been a series of embankments built to channel water flowing towards the marshes to privately held commercial interests.
In recent years, government has taken action to increase environmental flows to the Snowy in spite of severe drought in the Murray-Darling basin.
[10] The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists conducted research into the sustainability of water usage in Australia.
[17] The Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative was signed at 25 June 2004 Council of Australian Governments meeting.
The Sydney Desalination Plant constructed by the Government of New South Wales at Kurnell near Botany Bay has commenced operations.
Hunter Water claims the dam is required to "drought proof" Newcastle and the Central Coast.
Victoria has undertaken several major construction projects to link state water supplies.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme increased water security to properties near the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers during the 1960s and 1970s.
Overallocation of water licences and prolonged severe drought affecting snowfalls have undermined that security in the early 21st century.
Farmers in the area of the Lachlan Valley where the river will not flow are deeply concerned for the viability of their farms.
[25] The Coorong's future is in doubt because of low flows of water reaching the mouth of the Murray River.
[26] Acid sulphate soils are being exposed as water levels drop in the Doorong and nearby lakes, adding to the problems in the region.